Favorite Flicks: Black Beauty

© 1994 Warner Bros.
Running time: 88 min. Rated G
Sean Bean, David Thewlis

Based on the novel Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell

 

PLOT

Set in England in the 1800s, this movie is narrated by Black Beauty and follows the stallion’s life from birth to retirement. Born into a loving home and raised in another, Black Beauty lives a peaceful, contented life surrounded by his equine friends, Ginger and Merrylegs. But when illness forces his family to sell him, Black Beauty begins a difficult journey, passing through the hands of several owners. As the carriage horse of wealthy Lord Wexmire, he is viewed as property and mistreated; as a cab horse for Jerry Barker, he works hard but is loved and treated well by Jerry and his family. When Jerry falls ill, however, Black Beauty is sold to a cruel grain dealer who works him beyond reason. Broken and exhausted, Black Beauty is put up for sale at an auction, where he runs into an old friend who will change his life.

HUMANE MESSAGES & OTHER GOOD POINTS

• Celebrates horses and nature in general with stunning cinematography, including actual footage of a horse giving birth.

• Shows that animals can suffer both physically and emotionally and fosters empathy for animals. For example, Black Beauty describes his feeling of discomfort when he must wear a bit and be "broken in" for riding, and Ginger rebels against a painful bearing rein.

• Portrays horses as intelligent, feeling animals who develop long-lasting bonds with other horses and people. At one point, an injured Black Beauty refuses to leave his abusive groom’s side because "his mother had taught him to be loyal."

• Promotes responsible pet ownership. Squire Gordon, Jerry Barker, and other characters provide loving care to Black Beauty, treating him as a companion. As the Gordons say, "Kind treatment makes good horses."

• Presents the idea that humane treatment of animals should come before profit: Jerry the cab driver refuses to overwork Black Beauty, even though he loses business; before she is fit, Ginger is raced in steeplechases and is "broken" as a result; Black Beauty pulls heavy loads for a grain dealer until he collapses and is sent to auction.

• Delicately handles difficult scenes, such as Ginger’s death, and will probably not disturb even very young viewers.

• Shows the value of kindness and courtesy. Babe excels as a shepherd because he asks sheep nicely for their help and offers praise and thanks when they cooperate.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

Black Beauty blitz. Set a schedule and have older students read Anna Sewell’s classic Black Beauty before watching the movie. (Younger students may enjoy having it read to them, since it is a chapter book of some length.) After viewing the movie, encourage students to compare the film and book through classroom discussions or written reports. They will likely notice that the book is much harsher and more graphic than the movie.

A horse is a horse. For students who enjoyed reading Black Beauty and would like to read another book with humane messages about horses, suggest Stealing Thunder, by Mary Casanova (Hyperion Books: New York, 1999). This 136-page chapter book tells the story of a young girl determined to save a horse from abuse. For more recommended reading, click here.

The write stuff. Have students write a chapter from Ginger’s life, from her point of view. Suggestions include Ginger’s experiences before she was sold to the Gordons, her career as a cab horse, or changing Ginger’s story so that it ends happily.

Get serious. Older, more advanced students may be interested to know that although Black Beauty was written in 1877, some of the issues it raises are still relevant today. Like Black Beauty, many animals are mistreated by people who use them for entertainment or profit. Notorious examples include greyhound racing, circuses, puppy mills, and roadside zoos. If you or your students would like more information on these and other animal protection issues, contact The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, or visit www.hsus.org.